White peach tree named ‘SWEETPINKIE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white peach tree denominated ‘SWEETPINKIE’ which has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet cream flesh at maturity time, and a red pigmentation under the fruit skin as well as around and into the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘SWEETPINKIE’.

This application claims priority of Community Plant Variety Right No. 2020/3067 filed on Nov. 30, 2020 (Nov. 30, 2020) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The new variety named ‘SWEETPINKIE’ is also known as 8W.02.64.14 PB or ASF15167. Indeed, before giving a name to a new and distinct variety of fruit tree, a provisional reference is assigned, considering the references of a tree in orchard. This provisional reference is constituted firstly with the number of the parcel on which the tree has grown, then the number of the line, the tree number and finally the year of selection. Then before being named ‘SWEETPINKIE’, the provisional reference of this white peach tree variety was 8W.02.64.14, corresponding to the tree 64 located in line 02 of the parcel 8W and selected during the year 2014. The letters “PB” are related to the first letters of the type of tree in French (PB for “Pêche Blanche”, that means “white peach”). Once the hybrid selected, the breeder assigned a clone reference that begins with the letters “ASF” followed by the year of selection and a number corresponding to the maturity order. The final name is only assigned once the application has been filed and the name approved after its publication in the official bulletin. For the variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’, the clone reference was ‘ASF15167’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘SWEETPINKIE’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, semi-clingstone cream flesh with pinky red pigmentation under the fruit skin, generally with a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and in a star-shape around the cavity, for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘SWEETPINKIE’ white peach tree originated from a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘SWEETPINKIE’ variety results from controlled pollinated cross between the white peach variety named ‘SWEETREGAL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,196) which was used as the seed parent, or female parent, and the white nectarine variety named ‘NECTARRUBY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,421) which was used as the pollen parent, or male parent.

The ‘SWEETPINKIE’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ white peach tree blooms during the first at the end of February or early in March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘SWEETPINKIE’ ripens generally medium to late in the season, namely in August. However, it was observed that its date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing trees of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing trees of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ in orchard, at blooming time.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing a close view of a flowering branch of a tree of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ in orchard, at blooming time, with the bunches of flowers being opened.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at different development stages, and the reverse and side views of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ also named ‘8W.02.64.14 PB ASF15167’.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides of leaves and different views of three typical specimens of the fruit of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ also named ‘8W.02.64.14 PB ASF15167’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruit flesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing a close view of typical specimens of fruits of the new variety, at ripening time.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph that shows two views of the stone, and the kernel of the stone

The views of trees, flowers, leaves and fruits have been photographed in their fourth growing season (third year of production).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers, stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The trees, flowers, and fruits may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘SWEETPINKIE’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees show a strong vigor and a large stature half-standing in a semi-flared out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or early in March. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size. Petals are pink to medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruit flesh is cream white at complete maturity, with a red pink pigmentation under the skin. The fruit flesh also usually shows a red pigmentation into the stone cavity and around, in a star shape. The fruit skin is medium thick, with a purple red blush on a red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and its size is small. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘SWEETCHIEF’ white peach variety (not patented), the fruits of ‘SWEETPINKIE’ usually ripen earlier during the season. The productivity of the new ‘SWEETPINKIE’ is higher than the productivity of the similar variety ‘SWEETCHIEF’. The fruits of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ show a luminous dark purple red color covering more than 90%, usually between 90 and 100%, of the skin surface, on a purple background, whereas the fruit skin color of the ‘SWEETCHIEF’ white peach is less colored, namely with a red color covering 70 to 100% of the skin surface.

The fruit flesh of ‘SWEETCHIEF’ variety is less sugary than the fruit flesh of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’.

Compared to its seed or female parent, i.e. the ‘SWEETREGAL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,196) variety, the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ has a similar blooming period. The new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ usually shows a later ripening period, in comparison with the ‘SWEETREGAL’ variety. Indeed, the first fruits of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ usually ripen two weeks later than the first fruits of the ‘SWEETREGAL’ variety.

The fruit taste of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ is more sugary, with an IR BRIX comprised between 14 and 16, than the fruit taste of the fruit taste of ‘SWEETREGAL’, showing an IR BRIX of approximately 13. Generally speaking, the eating qualities of the new variety are considered higher than those of the ‘SWEETREGAL’ variety.

Compared to its pollen or male parent, i.e. the ‘NECTARRUBY’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,421) variety, the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ has a similar blooming period. The first fruit of the new variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ usually ripen 10 days earlier than the first fruits of the variety ‘NECTARRUBY’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white peach tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth growing season (third year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned during             each following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm including current season             shoots length. The tree size is consistently reduced to 250             cm the next years.         -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The             whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,             with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0             meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was             about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by             hectare.         -   Vigor.—Considered strong.         -   Productivity.—Considered good to very good, and very             regular. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to develop the             remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The             number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic             conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom             period and is therefore not distinctive of the present             variety. A reduce vegetation, obtained with pruning or green             pruning, approximately 1 month or 1 month ½ before             harvesting flat fruits, significantly promotes fruit             qualities, especially growth, color and firmness. Moreover,             contamination risks due to Monilia or rot are significantly             reduced. ‘SWEETPINKIE’ variety is not much sensitive to             cracking of pistil cavity, to cork formation into peduncle             cavity or to Monilia.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered             homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1             year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the             tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during             the years of observation.         -   Form.—The ‘SWEETPINKIE’ variety has naturally a semi-flared             shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of France             and especially where the chilling requirement is between 700             and 1200 hours. More particularly, experimentations on the             same orchard in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, with             winter chilling requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between             700 hours and 1200 hours according to the specificities of             the year, namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in             2013-2014, 893 hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016,             825 hours in 2016-2017,1017 hours in 2017-2018, 844 hours in             2018-2019, 706 hours in 2019-2020 and 822 hours in 2020-2021             showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases. No injury             with temperatures as low as −12° C. in winter. Good             resistance to late frosts. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 55.0 to 61.0 millimeters in diameter             when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0             centimeters above the soil level for trees on fourth leaf             (or third year of production).         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of             lenticels reaches 3 lenticels per cm².The lenticels range in             size of approximately 4.0 to 5 millimeters in width, and             about 1.0 millimeter in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels show a light beige color (RHS             Greyed Orange 164 D).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a grey color (RHS Grey 201 D)             darker than the lenticels color. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—The branches are pruned to approximately 1.0 meter in             length.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 5.0             to 6.0 millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of             approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Rough with few lenticels for current season             shoots and rough, with lenticels, for mature branches, wood             which is several years old has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally 40 degrees from the             horizontal axis for current season shoots and 50° degrees             from the horizontal axis for mature branches. This             particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of             the variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 22.0 to 28.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS             Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is darker and colored in purple (RHS Greyed             Purple 183 A), depending on the level on the tip and the             sunlight exposure.         -   Mature branches.—         -   Internode length.—Generally 28.0 to 30.0 millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Greyed Brown N 199 B or             RHS Greyed Brown N 199 C).         -   Lenticels.—A very high number of lenticels are present on             mature branches. The number of lenticels reaches 6 lenticels             per cm². The size of lenticels is considered small on one             year's old shoots and medium on two-year-old shoots. The             lenticel shape is stretched round with a height of 0.5 to             1.0 millimeter, a width of 1.0 to 1.5 millimeter and a             diameter between 0.5 and 1.0 millimeter on one-year-old             shoots and a diameter between 1.0 and 1.5 millimeter on             two-year-old shoots.         -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a             beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is 4.365.         -   Leaf length.—The medium length is about 172.0 millimeters             with leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—The medium width is 39.40 millimeters.         -   Leaf form (in cross section).—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf base shape.—Acute.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acute.         -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.         -   Leaf color.—         -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             146 A) than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both upper and lower             surfaces of the leaf.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—         -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 146 D or RHS Yellow             Green 147 C). The color may evolve with maturity.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.         -   Secondary veins.—         -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 C or RHS Yellow             Green 145 D).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or             two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).         -   Leaf petioles.—         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 13.0 to about 14.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Petiole color.—         -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS             Yellow Green 144 B).         -   Lower surface.—A slightly lighter green (RHS Yellow Green             145 A) than the upper petiole surface color.         -   Leaf glands.—         -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.5             millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.         -   Position.—Alternate on the upper part of petiole.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered             green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A or RHS Yellow Green 145 B). On             older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a brown (RHS Brown             200 A) color.         -   Leaf stipules.—         -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—         -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are round in shape. Their form is evolving until             blooming, with variable dimensions. Just before blooming,             floral buds are approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters wide             and approximately 16.0 to 18.0 millimeters long. The floral             buds show a homogenous distribution on the trees.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flower's buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle, is of             purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple             187 B) on its outer face. The inner face of the flower             receptacle is orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 23 A or RHS             Orange Yellow 23 B). The corolla, formed by the petals, is             generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 A or RHS Red             Purple 65 B) on both faces. Petals color shows an evolution             until the end of flowering.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end             of February or early in March. The first bloom was observed             on Mar. 4, 2018.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full             bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming             period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic             conditions and cultural practices. Thus, the full bloom was             observed in 2018, from March 4^(th) until March 11^(th),             then March 4^(th) until Mar. 10, 2019, then from February             21^(st) to Mar. 2, 2020, and then from February 28^(th) to             Mar. 10, 2021.         -   Duration of bloom.—Medium, approximately between 7 to 11             days. This characteristic varies slightly with the             prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             of flower, in a spread shape.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 37.0 to 40.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered medium, approximately 45 flowers             per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—         -   Generally.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 and 21.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally between 18.0 and 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Usually 5.         -   Petal arrangement.—Intermediate.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth on both upper and lower surfaces of             the petal.         -   Petal color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             fully opened, both surfaces of the petal are colored with a             pink to a medium pink (RHS Red Purple 65A) color when young,             becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.         -   Fragrance.—Slight to moderate.         -   Petal claw.—         -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a narrow form.         -   Length.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters at the base.         -   Color.—The petal claw usually shows a pink color darker than             the petal color (RHS Red Purple 61 A).         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—         -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally shaped as a wide             dome.         -   Flower pedicel.—         -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 1.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B or RHS Yellow Green 144             C).         -   Calyx.—         -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is             opened, the inner surface of the calyx, namely the flower             receptacle, is yellow green or orange (RHS Greyed Green 153             C or RHS Greyed Orange 163 B). The outer surface of the             calyx is considered of purple color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A             or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).         -   Sepals.—         -   Sepal count.—Usually 5 sepals.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Conic and round at the top.         -   Color.—The upper surface of the sepals shows a purple color             (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B) whereas             the lower surface of sepals is considered greenish (RHS             Yellow Green 146 A).         -   Anthers.—         -   Generally.—Medium in length.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Color.—Depending on the maturity stage, anthers are colored             with a red (RHS Orange Red N34 A) to a yellow color (RHS             Yellow 11A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant and has a yellow color             (RHS Yellow 12C) which may evolve with maturity. The present             variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).         -   Pistil.—         -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size. The pistil is positioned below             the stamens.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 16.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally smaller than filaments in length when             considered without the ovary, or equal to filament length.         -   Color.—Considered green to yellow (RHS Yellow Green 145 A or             RHS Yellow Green 145 B or RHS Yellow Green 151 A or RHS             Yellow Green 151 B) at the beginning of blooming period. The             color evolves during the blooming to become yellow.         -   Position.—The pistil is positioned below the stamens.         -   Ovary.—         -   Height.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Pubescence.—Present.         -   Stamens.—         -   Size compared to petals.—The size of stamen is smaller than             the size of petals.         -   Length.—Approximately 16.0 to 17.0 millimeters, usually             longer than the pistil length and sometimes equal.         -   Color.—White (RHS White N 155 D) to pink (RHS Red 54 B or             RHS Red 54 C) depending on the maturity stage.         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 31 to 36             stamens per flower.         -   Stigma.—         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter.         -   Color.—Yellowish (RHS yellow Green 153 C or RHS Yellow Green             153 D). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm in ripe conditions (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 17, 2018.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘SWEETPINKIE’             variety has an medium to late season date of picking, and a             grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped within 8 to 9 days             and the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last             known picking times carry on from August 17^(th) to Aug. 24,             2018, then from August 5^(th) to Aug. 13, 2019, then from to             July 26^(th) to Aug. 2, 2020, and then from to August 2^(nd)             to Aug. 10, 2021.         -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size, size A to 2A to 3A.             Considered large.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 69.0 to 71.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 62.0 to 68.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 162.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—         -   Generally.—Round, slightly flattened, regular, homogenous             and symmetrical. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry,             viewed from the suture's plane.         -   Suture.—         -   Fruit suture.—The suture is usually absent, or wide-mouthed             and slightly marked when present, extending from the base to             the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along             the suture line. Not pointed.         -   Ventral surface.—         -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.         -   Mucron.—Absent.         -   Closing of the pistil cavity.—Very good. The pistil cavity             is not visible.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is considered             small, about 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters. Average width is             between 19.0 and 20.0 millimeters, and the stem cavity is             flared.         -   Fruit skin.—         -   Thickness.—Considered medium and strong, and the skin             adherence to flesh is medium.         -   Texture.—The pubescence of the skin is almost inexistant.             The texture is smooth and glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Color.—         -   Blush color.—This blush color is a solid purple red (RHS             Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers             approximately 85% of the fruit skin surface on a red             background (RHS Greyed Red 180 A or RHS Greyed Red 181 A) on             approximately 15% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage             of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary and is             generally dependent upon the prevailing conditions under             which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers approximately 15% of             the fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Greyed             Red 180 A or RHS Greyed Red 181 A).         -   Lenticels.—Only few lenticels are present.         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 5.0 to 6.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).         -   Flesh.—         -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long             shelf life.         -   Texture.—Firm or medium firm, crunchy, melting at harvest             maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Considered present.         -   Eating quality.—Considered good to very good, semi-sweet,             sugary and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 12, with an average value at 12.3, and acidity             is low.         -   Juice.—Juicy at complete maturity. The juice shows a cream             color.         -   Brix.—Generally between 11.5 and 12.9 degrees. The medium             Brix is 12.3 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly             with the number of fruits per tree, prevailing cultural             practices and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—The flesh is considered white to cream (RHS             White N155 D) with a red pigmentation under the skin (RHS             RED 53 B or RHS Red 53 C), and into the stone cavity and             around said cavity, in a star shape. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending             on the fruit maturity.         -   Size.—Considered small for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 24.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 15.50 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Base.—Round.         -   Apex.—         -   Shape.—The stone apex is short and pointed.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered small in size, with round form and             dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—         -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more oblate on             lateral sides.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—         -   Width.—Narrow. Approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—         -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered light brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or RHS             Greyed Orange 164 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.         -   Kernel.—         -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.         -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 8.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 5.5 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered elliptical.         -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is brown colored (RHS Greyed Orange             N167 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is             white (RHS White 155 B) and has a sweet taste. The kernel             and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘SWEETPINKIE’ is considered to be a             white peach tree having a medium late season of maturity,             and which produces fruits that are considered firm and             attractively colored in purple red. Fruits have semi-sweet             taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or             melting when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent             gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness             and density, they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range             product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And             they are also useful for both local and very long-distance             shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation             and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth             completion and after harvesting without alteration. After             growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.             After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 2 weeks             at 2.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             white peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or             skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 2 weeks-shipping at 2             degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely             closed, generally without any cork formation.

Although the new variety of white peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white peach tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet cream flesh at maturity time, and a red pigmentation under the fruit skin as well as around and into the stone cavity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a red background. 